Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Kashmir issue

This refers to the article “Need to rethink our Kashmir policy” (Aug. 22) and the letters published in response to it (Aug. 23). It is a matter of serious concern that a grave issue such as the Kashmir imbroglio has not been resolved by successive governments for 60 years.

There is no doubt that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Indian Union. Being a border State, it is strategically important for us. We cannot discard it under any circumstance. The immediate thing to do is to abolish Article 370 and encourage people from neighbouring States to settle down in Kashmir.

Yohannankutty Mathai,

New Delhi

The article says that despite all their promises to the Kashmiris, the governments in Srinagar and New Delhi have done almost nothing in the last four years to resolve the problem to the satisfaction of Kashmiris. As citizens of India, I think we ought to shoulder the responsibility for the actions of the governments we voted to power. It is “our” promises, made to a particular section among us.

Sanjoe Tom Jose,

Mumbai

The Centre needs to adopt a people-centric approach to the J&K crisis, failing which the situation in the State may escalate further. Kashmir is not a colony of India. It is as much an integral part of India as any other State and the Centre cannot allow anyone to manipulate this.

The ISI and some sections in Pakistan are trying their best to present a view that does not reflect true public opinion.

Sarvesh Kumar Dubey,

Jamshedpur

The Kashmir issue has been hanging fire for 60 years and more, and no solution is in sight. The peace initiatives and dialogues have not produced the desired results. The agitation which started over the Amarnath land transfer issue has flared up beyond control. The conflict is now between Hindus in Jammu and Muslims in the Kashmir Valley. The clamour for azadi is growing louder in the Valley. How long can the government allow the stalemate to continue? It should allow the people of the State to decide their fate.

E. Sivasankaran,

Coimbatore

Since 1947, India has espoused a self-righteous attitude and pretended to know everything from democracy and secularism to modernity, and rejected all good advice even from its best friends to let Kashmiris live peacefully. It has continued to militarise J&K. A basic shift in the Indian approach to the Kashmir issue would mean letting Kashmiris have their sovereignty. Demilitarisation and force withdrawal should begin now.

Reehana Kabeer,

Dharapuram

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